How much oil do you add when you change your oil and filter?

Let's see if everyone is filling up their engine to the proper level not just going by the dipstick.

Lay it out guys and be honest, how much oil do you add?

drdd

08-20-2005, 10:08 PM

After drain and new filter and tighten oil plug ...

I start with 3 qts, wait for it to trickle to the pan, then check dipstick, start engine and let it run for 5 min, stop engine and allow the oil to trickle, check dipstick and add appropriately

The capacity is listed at 4.5 qts in the Haynes manual but it also says to consider this capacity as approximate.

Why?

variables such as:

1)the oil that doesn't completely come out when you drain the pan
2)the oil that doesn't completely come out of the bottle
3)also the fact that I don't accurately measure the ".5", I just use the clear plastic sight to approximate half a bottle
4)the filter actually holds quite a bit of oil as well

I always check oil the next day and then after 50 miles or so ... just to be picky ...

Let's see if everyone is filling up their engine to the proper level not just going by the dipstick.

Lay it out guys and be honest, how much oil do you add?

BlazerLT

08-20-2005, 10:16 PM

IT is 5.0 quarts for your engine.

Do not go by the dipstick, go by the owner's manual recommended volume.

When I used to fill to the top of the dipstick, I had almost 5 1/4 quarts which was badly overfilled. Plus then you heat it up and it expands even more.

Here is what you do:

You install your new oil filter.
You add the appropriate amount of oil that it recommends.

You note that level on the dipstick as full.

You drive.

I used to have the flicking oil pressure gauge and valvetrain tapping and now I don't have it anymore.

DON'T GO BY YOUR DIPSTICK!

drdd

08-21-2005, 12:01 AM

where are you finding 5 qts ?

My Haynes say 4.5 for a '97. My owners manual does not give a specific capacity. Rather, it provides instructions for checking the dipstick as a means for assessing oil volume.

Noting a level on the dipstick as full depends solely on how long the engine has rested and how long the oil has had to trickle to the pan - yes?

anyhow, 5.0 may very well be the best for our trucks as the owners manual is very clear in saying that these capacities are approximate.

IT is 5.0 quarts for your engine.

Do not go by the dipstick, go by the owner's manual recommended volume.

When I used to fill to the top of the dipstick, I had almost 5 1/4 quarts which was badly overfilled. Plus then you heat it up and it expands even more.

Here is what you do:

You install your new oil filter.
You add the appropriate amount of oil that it recommends.

You note that level on the dipstick as full.

You drive.

I used to have the flicking oil pressure gauge and valvetrain tapping and now I don't have it anymore.

Not on my 1995, took about 3/4 of a quart more to get it up to that level.

tblake

08-21-2005, 06:44 PM

odd. her's is full, and I keep periodically checking it, and it stays at full. Doesn't leak or burn, Just stays at that full mark.

ZL1power69

08-21-2005, 11:02 PM

IT is 5.0 quarts for your engine.

Do not go by the dipstick, go by the owner's manual recommended volume.

When I used to fill to the top of the dipstick, I had almost 5 1/4 quarts which was badly overfilled. Plus then you heat it up and it expands even more.

Here is what you do:

You install your new oil filter.
You add the appropriate amount of oil that it recommends.

You note that level on the dipstick as full.

You drive.

I used to have the flicking oil pressure gauge and valvetrain tapping and now I don't have it anymore.

DON'T GO BY YOUR DIPSTICK!

thats what i fill mine to. owners manual says 4.5 but i put 5 in it. on dipstick it is about 3/4 inch above full mark.

says 5qts in chiltons and my grandfather who has 70+ years of automotive experience recomends 5qts for 4.3. pan holds 4.5qts and filter holds .5qt. no problems

BlazerLT

08-22-2005, 12:15 AM

thats what i fill mine to. owners manual says 4.5 but i put 5 in it. on dipstick it is about 3/4 inch above full mark.

says 5qts in chiltons and my grandfather who has 70+ years of automotive experience recomends 5qts for 4.3. pan holds 4.5qts and filter holds .5qt. no problems

Nope, you are wrong, it holds 4.5qts WITH the filter included.

You are overfilling which is worse that quite not having enough.

cmoore992002

08-22-2005, 05:44 AM

My owners manual and the Haynes says 4.5 quarts for my '92 with 4.3L. The dipstick on mine reads over full with 4.5 quarts. I put in 4.25 quarts to get it to the top of the full mark on the dip stick. That is with a filter change. I always change the filter.

BlazerLT

08-22-2005, 09:15 AM

My owners manual and the Haynes says 4.5 quarts for my '92 with 4.3L. The dipstick on mine reads over full with 4.5 quarts. I put in 4.25 quarts to get it to the top of the full mark on the dip stick. That is with a filter change. I always change the filter.

As said previously, don't worry about the dipstick, add the amount the manual says to add.